Browsing by Author "Swati Sachdev"

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Mechanisms of microbe-assisted metal tolerance in phytoremediators: A review
(Soil Science Society of China, 2025) Swati Sachdev; Keswani Chetan; Tatiana Mikhailovna Minkina; Kuldeep Bauddh
Escalating anthropogenic activities have caused heavy metal contamination in the environmental matrices. Due to their recalcitrant and toxic nature, their occurrence in high titers in the environment can threaten survival of biotic components. To take the edge off, remediation of metal-contaminated sites by phytoremediators that exhibit a potential to withstand heavy metal stress and quench harmful metals is considered an eco-sustainable approach. Despite the enormous potential, phytoremediation technique suffers a setback owing to high metal concentrations, occurrence of multiple pollutants, low plant biomass, and soil physicochemical status that affect plants at cellular and molecular levels, inducing morphological, physiological, and genetic alterations. Nevertheless, augmentation of soil with microorganisms can alleviate the challenge. A positive nexus between microbes, particularly plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs), and phytoremediators can prevent phytotoxicity and augment phytoremediation by employing strategies such as production of secondary metabolites, solubilization of phosphate, and synthesis of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase and phytohormones. Microbes can mediate tolerance in plants by fortifying their antioxidant machinery, which maintains redox homeostasis and alleviates metal-induced oxidative damage in the plants. Associated microbes can also activate stress-responsive genes in plants and abridge metal-induced toxic effects. An in-depth exploration of the mechanisms employed by plant-associated microbes to trigger tolerance in phytoremediators is crucial for improving their phytoremediation potential and real-world applications. The present article attempts to comprehensively review these mechanisms that eventually facilitate the development of improved/new technology for soil ecosystem restoration. © 2025 Soil Science Society of China
Microplastic pollution in agricultural environments: Origins, impacts, and mitigation strategies
(Elsevier Ltd, 2025) Shreya Singh; Saraniya S; Swati Sachdev; Kumar Satish Sahoo; Balram Ambade; Kuldeep Bauddh
Microplastic contamination is an important global issue that has been increasing rapidly due to the increased application of plastic-based commodities in various sectors, in particular, agriculture, healthcare, personal care products, construction, textiles, etc. The waste generated through these sectors majorly remains unmanaged or mismanaged leading to the contamination of the terrestrial environment. Among various sectors, agriculture largely contributes to this problem owing to the intentional use of plastic-based products or unintentional application of contaminated materials. Plastics reaching to soil are migrated and disintegrated into small micro-size fragments leading to microplastic pollution. Migration is influenced by the number of soil characteristics, soil biota activities, and/or management choices, whereas transformation occurs via photo-degradation, microbial degradation, and/or mechanical abrasion. Microplastics on disintegration releases harmful additives and monomers in soil and act as carriers of toxic compounds, inducing serious risk toward living organisms. The ubiquitous occurrence of micro-sized plastic in agricultural ecosystems, mismanagement of waste, and the associated risk have ignited global concern. Thus, management of microplastic pollution is crucial, which requires an integrated approach at the individual as well as community level. Moreover, involvement of government, stakeholders, and policy-makers is crucial to meet the increasing challenge of microplastic pollution. © 2025
Understanding Hyperaccumulation of Zinc in Plants
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2025) Fizanaj Sheikh; Kuldeep Bauddh; Swati Sachdev
Metal pollution as a result of escalated industrial activities has become a global issue. Accumulation of metals in the environment can induce hazardous impact on human health, reduce plant productivity, and alter microbial community dynamic in soil, owing to nondegradable and toxic nature. Existing metals on earth are either essential or nonessential based on whether needed or not by living being to perform their functions. Although essential metals such as Zn are required, their presence above threshold limit may cause toxicity. In plants, Zn orchestrates various crucial processes like photosynthesis and cell division; however, excess quantity may trigger oxidative stress resulting in cellular damage, disrupt respiration and photosynthesis, abridge nutrient uptake, and alter the structure and functions of enzymes and pigments. The content of Zn in soil, which is the primary site for metal uptake by plants, influences its bioavailability. Employing phytoremediation technique like phytoextraction that involves hyperaccumulator plants could help in alleviating toxicity. Hyperaccumulators recruit various mechanisms to uptake and accumulate excess Zn in aboveground parts, without exhibiting phytotoxicity. Exploring the potential of such plants can sustainably facilitate remediation of contaminated soil and restore their fertility. Furthermore, encompassing research in improving capacity of such plants through integration of new techniques like genetic engineering could pave way for obtaining better outcomes. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.